Awning



y 1, 1941- M. D. MONELLY 2,247,616

AWNING Filed Sept. 19, 1938 2 Sheets Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MON/POE 0. M5 NELLY ATTORNEY.

y 1, 1941- M. D. McNELLY 2,247,616

AWNING Filed Sept; 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

MONROE D. M /YELLY A TTORNEY.

Patented July 1, 1941 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AWNING Monroe D. McNelly, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Application September 19, 1938, Serial No. 230,547

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in awnings and particularly to an awning especially well adapted to be constructed entirely of metal. Y It is not intended, however, that the construction of my invention be restricted entirely to this material.

Numerous structures have been devised in the past in an attempt to supply a metallic type of awning or sun shade. Few if any, however, of the devices have proven a success commercially since they have been relatively complicated and cumbersome and expensive to manufacture.

One of the objects of my invention, therefore, is to provide an all metallic awning, sturdy in construction and relatively simple and easy to operate.

My invention comprises providing a new type of awning utilizing a so-called lazy tongs to thus permit the use of a metal awning of light construction having many favorable features of operation not possible with the awnings known to the art.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device in which three panels, more .or less, may be employed for the entire top covering of the awning, thereby materially simplifying the structure and making these large panels available for advertising and decorative purposes.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an awning structure which may be manufactured at a reasonable cost and which will be ultra modern in appearance.

Other and further features and objects of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawings and following specifications, wherein are disclosed several exemplary embodiments of the invention, with the understanding, however, that such changes may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing an awning, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of my invention, as it appears when applied to a store front.

Figure 2 is an end view in elevation of the awning illustrated in Figure 1 and showing it in a partly extended position.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective showing a portion of the operating mechanism.

Figure 4 is an end view in elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 1 but in its fully extended position.

Figure 5 represents an end view in elevation of the device when lying in its closed position against the store front.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective as taken from a point below and behind one panel of the awning and showing in particular a portion of the side curtain as it appears when held in its folded up position.

Figure 7 shows the driving-mechanism illustrated in Figure 3 but as viewed from a different angle.

Figure 8 illustrates in perspective a modified form of wall bracket.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view through a front portion of the awning as seen in Fig. 1.

Referring nowto the drawings:

It is believed that an awning constructed according to my invention is particularly modern in appearance and I have, therefore, shown such an awning in connection with a store front of modern design.

A device constructed according to one embodiment of my invention would comprise, as illustrated in Figure 1, a plurality of metal panels, indicated generally at l0, an extensible lazy tongs supporting structure indicated generally at 20, bracket members and operating mechanism indicated generally at 40, and an ornamental, protective canopy indicated at ill.

'Any number of over-lapping panel-s may of course be utilized in the construction of such an awning. However, in a preferred embodiment of my invention I use three panels II, I 2 and I3, and in order for such an awning to cover or protect the proper amount of space, I prefer that each panel be approximately two feet wide. These panels may be constructed of any one of a number of materials now available. The material is each other to prevent the lazy tongs supportingstructure from becoming locked in a dead center position, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

As stated before, the supporting device includes a lazy tongs structure, similar devices being placed at each end of the awning. Each structure includes side rail members 2|, 22 and 23 which are fastened to the panels l2 and I3 respectively. These rails or strap members are preferably in the form of a flat bar material having considerable strength and yet light in weight.

The rear end of the strap 2| of the uppermost panel is pivotally supported at its rear end on a cross rod, as indicated at 24. This manner of supporting the structure will be describedlater.

Vertically extending strap members 28, 21 and 28 serve to tie the several panels together to form one unit and to cause them to operate as a unit. The member 2! is preferably of substantially the same length as any of the members 2|, 22 or 23. The other two members 26 and 28 are substantially one-half the length of any of the other members. These various members are pivoted together at points 29, 30, 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35 to permit movement. The locations of the pivotal points are chosen to form the bars into a plurality of parallelograms, the panels of the awning forming parallel sides thereof.

It is-apparent that all the pivot points should preferably be equally spaced with respect to the next adjacent pivot point in order that-this device be properly operable.

The panels ll, I2 and 3 are fastened to the rail members 2|, 22 and 23 by some means such as rivets, as shown at in Figure 6.

A square hole is preferably provided in each rail 2| at the inner end of the awning at the pivot point 24 to receive a square rod 4| extending the length of the panel and through opening 24a in a bracket member 42 which is fastened to the wall by means of bolts indicated at 43.

In order that the square shaft may rotate freely in the round hole 24a in the bracket, a bushing 24b is provided. This bushing is fitted for rotation within opening 24a but an opening extending through the bushing for the reception of square shaft 4| is made square so as to fit the shaft. A plurality of openings similar to that indicated at 24a may be supplied to permit adjustment of the pitch of the awning.

The bracket 42 may be a casting in the form of a plate 42a, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, having laterally extending ears 44 and 45 in which a vertical drive shaft 41 is journalled. This drive shaft extends downwardly along the side of the building to a gear box 48. In accordance with the usual practice bevel gears in the box 48 are adapted to drive the shaft 4'|. A crank 49 is used to rotate the shaft 41 through the bevel gearing in the box 48. A worm gear 5| is mounted on the upper end of shaft 41. The rotation of this worm gear serves to rotate a spur gear 52 with which it is engaged and which is fixedly mounted upon the square shaft 4| near its outermost end.

It is apparent, therefore, that turning the crank 49 in one direction will rotate the square shaft 4| in one direction and the movement of the crank in the opposite direction will rotate the shaft 4| in the other direction, and since the. bar 2| supporting the upper panel cannot rotate on the shaft 4|, the upper panel I I must therefore follow the movement of the square shaft.

The force of gravity tends to hold the tie members 26, 21 and 2 8 in a vertical position at all times. Therefore, if the shaft 4| is rotated far enough that the upper panel 2| is caused to lie back against the front of the building as shown in Figure 5, the panels l2 and I3 will also take the position as shown, still parallel with the top panel but lying close against it.

As the awning is being lifted and as the side rail members 2 I, 22 and 23 approach the vertical, the lazy tongs structure begins to close and the force required to turn the shaft 4| becomes less. After they reach the position shown in Figure 5, the force of gravity tends to hold them in the closed position, thus removing the torsional strain from the shaft 4 I.

Furthermore, when an awning of this construction is lowered, gravity naturally aids during the larger part of the operation.

In order that the weight of the awning, when it is in its lowered position, may be removed from the worm and the gear, the side rail 2| of the upper panel is extended rearwardly past the pivotal point 24 at which point it is engaged with the square shaft. As the awning is lowered the rear extended portion of this rail moves upwardly and comes to rest against a boss or projection extended inwardly from the bracket, as indicated at 53. The side rail 2| then acts as a lever arm with the fulcrum at the pivotal point 24. The projection 53 may be in such a form as a removable stud threaded or held in place by means of nuts. -If this construction is used, several mounting holes 53a may be provided to afford further adjustment.

The structure, when lowered, naturally assumes the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. If it is desired that the awning extend farther outwardly beyond the front of the building, it may be moved to the extended position as shown in Figure 4. I have provided a bracing member or foldable strut indicated generally at 54. This strut is preferably made of two members 56 and 51 pivotally connected. One end of the member 56 is also pivotally connected at the pivotal point 30 at the inner end of the central panel. The other end of the bar 51 is hingedly connected to the side of the building as shown at 58.

When the awning is in the gravity position, the brace takes the position shown at 54 in Figure 1. As this folding strut is forced out into the position shown in Figure 4 it operates the lazy tongs structure to force all the panels to their outermost position. The folding strut is held in its open position by means of an extension 51a of one member 51 and a bent over or hooked portion 51b which is adapted to come to rest against the other member 56 of the strut. The supporting structure, however, is prevented from becoming locked in the open position by means of the rolled portion l5 forming the front edge of each panel section. These rolled edges bear against the top of the next lower panel and prevent the lazy tongs structures from opening to their full extent.

A modified form of the strut member 54 may be attached at some other point on the lazy tongs structure such as at the pivotal point 33.

I have provided a spring fastener 59, as shown in Figure 5, which may be used to engage the lower panel of the awning when it is in the closed position and lying flat against the front of the building. This fastener may be in the form of a fiat hooked spring. The spring member may be bent at its rear end as at 59a to permit its .being bolted to the front of the building. Obviously other suitable forms of latching devices may be employed. The strap is made of a material springy enough and of a shape as shown so as to engage the outer panel by friction. This fastener permits the panels to snap into place easily and still requires considerable force outwardly on the panels to disengage them from the clamp.

This clamp prevents the panels of the awning from rattling in the wind and tends further to hold the awning back under a protective canopy 79 which protects the awning from sleet or snow and the like when not in use.

The front drop BI is attached near the forward edge of the lower panel by looping it over a tie rod 62 which extends the full length of the panel and which is attached to the bars 23. The lower edge of the drop BI is preferably rolled as indicated at 63 to prevent injury from sharp edges.

It is generally desirable that an awning have end drops or panels. I have therefore provided folding panels 64, 65 and 65 adapted to be folded upwardly against the lower surfaces of the panels Ii, l2 and I3 respectively.

I have shown one of these panels in its folded position in Figure 6. The drop panel is hinged at its upper end to the under surface of the awning panel, as at 61, to permit the end panel to be used or fastened up out of the way, as shown at 6511 or at 65. The lower edge is cut on the bias so that it will be horizontal with the awning and is preferably rolled in the same manner as the front drop.

A latch or friction clip 59 is attached to the lower surface of the awning panel to hold the end panel section in folded up position when it is not required.

I have illustrated in Figure 8 a modified form of the wall bracket and operating mechanism. The principal difference between this and the bracket illustrated in Figure 'l is that it has side walls enclosing the driving mechanism and has the outer side wall 50 extended upwardly to form ears 50a. for attachment in place in cars on the rear wall. This construction permits brackets to be mounted against the sides of a deep window enclosure. This bracket member may of course be made box-like so as to totally enclose all the mechanism and make a neat appearing device..

I have devised an awning structure which is simple both in construction and operation and, further, is constructed of materials adapted to resist the action of the elements. An awning constructed in accordance with my invention is ultra-modern in appearance and is especially adaptable to the modern store front.

Although I have described specific embodiments of my invention, it is apparent that modifications thereof may be made by those skilled in the art. Such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a lazy tongs supporting structure having two series of parallel members, one series adapted to support panels, the other series adapted to pivotally connect the first mentioned series to cause the panels to maintain a parallel relation, mounting brackets, a shaft mounted for rotation in said brackets, a means for mounting the uppermost of the panel supporting members upon the shaft, a means of rotating the shaft, and a means of limiting the downward movement of the said panel supporting members comprising a projection on a mounting bracket.

2. In an awning for a building front, a plurality of panels, means for supporting the panels in variable spaced relation, said means including a plurality of lazy tong structures, said lazy tong structures each including a plurality of relatively horizontal members to which the panels are attached, and a plurality of relatively vertical members pivotally connected thereto, a wall bracket for each lazy tong structure, the inner end of the uppermost relatively horizontal member of each lazy tongs being pivotally attached to one of said brackets, means for applying turning effort at the pivotal mounting point of one of said lazy tongs, means including a shaft extending the length of the awning for transmitting turning effort to the other lazy tongs to thus remove any turning strain from the panels, means for limiting the downward movement of the lazy tongs about the pivotal point, and a foldable brace having one end pivotally attached near the inner end of one of the lower panels and having the other end pivotally mounted adjacent the building front, said brace thus adapted to extend the lazy tongs when said tongs are rotated downwardly about the pivot point and also to collapse the lazy tongs when the said lazy tongs are rotated upwardly about the pivot point.

3. An awning for a building front comprising a plurality of parallel panels, a plurality of parallel spacing members pivotally connected thereto, mounting brackets, means for pivotally supporting the awning near the inner edge of the uppermost panel on the brackets, a stop means for limiting movement in one direction about the pivotal support means, the weight of the panels adapted to maintain the spacing members in substantially vertical relation, said panels thus adapted to lie flat against each other and up against the building when in closed position and adapted to take a partially extended position due to the weight of the panels when the awning is rotated downwardly about the pivotal support means, and a means for causing the awning to take a fully extended position comprising a two position foldable strut pivotally attached at one end adjacentthe building front and at the other end to a panel.

MONROE D. MCNELLY. 

